Loom fringe motion



Aug. 13, 1968 E. c. NICHOLS ET AL 3,396,755

LOOM FRINGE MOTION Original Filed Nov. 1, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 CONTROLLER INVENTORS. EDWARD C. N|c|-|o| s H BERTRANDE. GUINDQN A TTORNE Y Aug. 13,1968 E. c. NICHOLS ETAL 3,396,755

LOOM FRINGE MQT ION Original Filed Nov. 1, 1965 r 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 1. l AM In" INVENTORS/ EDWARD C.NIC.HOI S BERTRAND E- GUINOON A T TORNE Y Aug. 3,1968 E. c. NICHOLS ET L 3,396,755

LOOM FRINGE MOTION Original Filed Nov. 1, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 M mvrsmozzs,

EDWARD C. NICHOLS B?ERTRAND E. GUINDQN A T TORNE Y 1968 E. c. NICHOLS ET 3,396,755

LOOM FRINGE MOT ION Original Filed Nov. 1, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 84 v IN VE NT 0 RS. ZFIQ. S EDWARD C.N\CHOL5 B Y BERTRAND E.GU|NDON 0m 0- ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,396,755 LOOM FRINGE MOTION Edward C. Nichols, Upton, Mass., and Bertrand E.

Guindon, Cumberland, R.I., assignors, by mesne assignments, to John Donald Marshall and Horace L. Bomar, as trustees of the Carolina Patent Development Trust Continuation of application Ser. No. 505,929, Nov. 1, 1965. This application Sept. 22, 1967, Ser. No. 669,976 6 Claims. (Cl. 139-116) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for selectively omitting successive picks of filling during loom operation to produce unwoven bands of warp threads for forming a fringe.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 505,929, filed Nov. 1, 1965, and now abandoned.

This invention pertains to a fringe motion for looms and, more particularly, to such a motion for looms of the shuttleless type such as disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,604,123.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a method and means of forming fringe automatically at predetermined points on fabric as it is formed on looms of the shuttleless type.

Another object is that of providing simplified mechanical means controlled by a patterning device which is effective during loom operation in forming non-woven bands in the fabric of a predetermined width.

A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide a method and means of forming a fringe on fabric on shuttleless looms by the cessation of certain mechanical functions during loom operation.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the following more detailed disclosure.

With the introduction of the shuttleless loom and its ability to operate at much greater speeds than the conventional fly shuttle type of loom, there has developed a great deal of interest in forming fabrics of more complicated weaves on such looms. One such fabric is that of a terry weave, and with a fabric of this type it is often desirous to form unwoven portions of a particular width which upon finishing the fabric will form so-called fringes at the ends thereof. The mechanism according to the instant invention relates primarily to a means for forming automatically unwoven portions of a predetermined Width in fabric as it is woven on shuttleless looms. This mechanism is effective in causing a cessation of certain mechanical functions during actual operation of the loom and according to a preferred form of the invention these functions are governed by the dictates of a controller unit such as shown and described in United States patent application Ser. No. 421,318 filed Dec. 28, 1964, now Patent No. 3,291,158.

The invention includes a means for deactivating the filling depressor which moves in such a manner as to grasp the filling yarn and move it to a point where it is picked up by a carrier and inserted into the warp shed. The carrier elements are permitted to continue operating without filling yarn and to prevent the loom from knocking off for lack of filling the loom stop motion is also deactivated. When the predetermined width of unwoven material has been formed, the filling depressor and stop motion are again activated and normal weaving is resumed.

The invention will be described in detail by reference to specific embodiments thereof one of which is illustrated in the accompanying figures of drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a shuttleless loom showing the filling depressor and the cam means for its actuation;

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FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of a shuttleless loom sword showing the relative position of the knock-off, its actuating means and the mechanism for deactivating said knock-off;

FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation of a portion of the knock-off actuating means illustrated in FIG. 2 showing the disconnect means for deactivating the knock-off driving rod;

FIG. 4 is a view in front elevation of the mechanism shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view in front elevation of a shuttleless loom knock-off showing the controlled pivotal lock-out element which is adapted to engage said knock-off to prevent its normal swinging movement;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the central portion of a shuttleless m lay showing in operating position that portion of the stop motion which includes the center fork filling sensing mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6 but showing the sensing mechanism in a knock-off position or according to the invention in a deactivated position;

FIG. 8 is a view in side elevation of the filling depressor, the linkage elements for actuating the same and showing by means of a dotted line the pathway said depressor is caused to travel for presenting filling to the carrier means; and

FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 8 but showing by means of a dotted line the pathway the filling depressor is caused to travel when withdrawn to a position to avoid contact with the filling yarn.

Now referring to the figures of drawing, enough of a 100m of the type described is shown in the various figures of drawing to serve as a basis for a detailed description of the invention applied thereto. In this type of loom, the filling is drawn from a source of supply at the side of the loom and is inserted into sheds of warp yarns by carrier elements aflixed to the free ends of flexible members such as tapes made of spring steel.

As shown in FIG. 1, the loom includes among other parts a lay beam 10 with a reed 11 extending upwardly therefrom and the usual temples 12 (one only shown in FIG. 1) for guiding and holding the fabric as it is formed in a manner well known to those conversant with the weaving art. A cloth guide 12' of conventional design extends across the width of fabric in general alignment with the temples 12. The usual space between the ends of the cloth guide and the inner end of the temples should be closed when forming fringe to prevent a larger shed opening at these points and to prevent interference with the warp yarns during shed crossings. One means of closing this gap is that of extending the cloth guide to the inner edge of the temple as shown in FIG. 1.

One of the carrier elements referred to above is shown in FIG. 1 along with the tape to which it is attached and said element is depicted by numeral 13 and the tape by numeral 14. At the upper and right-hand side of the loom there is provided the usual filling control housing that is generally indicated by numeral 15.

As shown and described in the aforementioned United States Patent No. 2,604,123 this filling control housing is provided with a rotatable cam shaft 16 on which a pair of juxtaposed cam members 17 and 18 are assembled for rotation therewith. These cam members 17 and 18 are adapted to cooperate with a pair of tappet-like elements 19 and 20, respectively, to effect the required movement of a filling depressor 21 in a well known manner.

The filling yarn is identified in FIG. 1 by the letter Y and is drawn from a stationary source of supply (not shown). The filling yarn is drawn through a pair of opposed tension pads 22 and 23, thence through a supported eyelet-24 and across the path which the depressor is caused to travel while performing its intended function.

During normal Weaving the depressor catches the filling yarn and pulls it downwardly to a point where the carrier element 13 picks it up and carries it into the shed of warp yarns 25.

Control linkage 26, which may be in the form of a Bowden wire is suitably attached to the depressor 21 as at 27 with the opposite end thereof being attached to and controlled by the dictates of the controller unit 83 shown and described in the patent application heretofore referred to.

The depressor 21 is deactivated by simply tilting it rearwardly by means of the control linkage 26 a distance which will not permit it to grasp the filling during its movement. FIG. 1 shows the depressor in a withdrawn or deactivated position and the carrier element 13 entering the shed without introducing the filling yarn Y.

In FIG. 8 the normal operating pathway of the filling depressor 21 is shown by means of a dotted line 84. As shown and described in US. Patent 2,665,716 the filling depressor is caused to move through this path of travel by means of its pivotable connections with an upper depressor arm 85 and a connecting link 86 which pivotably connects said depressor with a lower depressor arm 87. Both depressor arms are swung to and fro under the influence of the aforementioned cam members 17 and 18 and the tappet-like elements 19 and 20 and are effective in moving the filling depressor 21 from the phantom to solid line positions shown in FIG. 8. The upper depressor arm swings within the limits of a fixed arc, and with the pivotable toggle-like connection of the connecting link 86 with the lower depressor arm 87 along with the influence of its respective cam member 17, the initial movement of the filling depressor is that of pivoting the upper tip portion 88 thereof in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 8.

The complete movement cycle of the tip portion 88 is defined by the dotted line pathway identified by numeral 84 in FIG. 8 which is first caused to move beneath the filling carrier 89 and its tape 90 thence upwardly and above the latter where it engages the filling on its downward movement to present it to said carrier.

An indication for deactivating the filling depressor is given when it is in the phantom line position shown in FIG. 9. After the tip portion 88 has moved beneath the carrier and tape and is moving in an upwardly direction the selected control linkage 26 becomes taut and does not permit said tip portion to move to the full extent of its normal upward travel.

With the upper depressor arm 86 always moving through a fixed arc, the restricted filling depressor 21 during its upward movement is caused to pivot on its connections with the upper depressor arm and connecting link which are identified by numerals 92 and 93, respectively. This pivoting action moves the connecting link 86 in the direction of the indicating arrow 94 in FIG. 9 which in turn moves the lower depressor arm 87 in a clockwise direction.

Movement of the lower depressor arm 87 in this manner positions it where it is not influenced by its respective cam member 17 and tappet element 19 resulting in the tip portion 88 following the dotted line pathway 91 shown in FIG. 9. When traveling in this pathway the filling depressor fails to engage and present the filling yarn to the carrier.

To permit the loom to continue operating without inserting the filling yarn, those elements of the stop motion which sense the presence and absence of filling and which include the knock-off and center fork must be deactivated. This means is accomplished much in the same manner as that of deactivating the depressor and will now be described in further detail.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the usual center fork device that is centrally disposed with respect to the length of lay and which is adapted to sense the presence or absence of filling yarn. This device includes a plurality of feeler tines 28 that are pivotably supported in a center fork bracket 29 and whichare adapted to move in a known manner toward and way from a center fork well 30 in the lay 10. To actuate the feeler tines the usual center fork crank shaft 31 cooperates with the center fork cam 32 which is supported for reciprocating movement on a horizontally disposed knock-off rod 33.

The knock-01f rod 33 is supported adjacent one end for sliding movement in the lower portion of the center fork bracket 29 as at 34 and the opposite end thereof is pivotably attached, as at 35, to a first arm 36 of a bell crank lever which forms the knock-ofif and which is generally indicated by numeral 37. The actual knock-off element is in the form of a forwardly directed finger 38 which extends from and is integrally formed with the arm 36 (FIG. 5).

The knock-01f 37 is pivotably mounted to a bracket member 39 the latter of which is fixedly attached adjacent the upper portion of the looms left-hand sword 40 by means of a bolt 41 and nut 42.

The knock-off 37 functions in a well-known manner during loom operation by pivoting back and forth between and within the limits of a pair of spaced bosses 43 and 44 that extend from and form a part of the bracket member 39 (FIG. 5

The means utilized to pivot the knock-off back and forth as described is of conventional design and includes a generally vertically disposed driving rod 45 (FIG. 2). This driving rod is pivotally attached at its upper end to a second arm 46 of the knock-off 37. The lower portion of rod 45 passes through an aperture provided in the forward end 47 of a treadle lever 48. The opposite end of this treadle lever terminates in the form of a hub 49 and is mounted on a shaft 50 that is suitably attached to the loom frame (not shown). A torsional type bushing (not shown) assembles on shaft 50 within the hub 49 of the treadle lever and is set so as to urge said treadle lever in an anti-clockwise direction. A cam follower 51 is mounted for rotary movement on and intermediate the ends of the treadle lever 48 and the latter, being urged in an anticlockwise direction causes said cam follower to maintain contact with the outer periphery of a cam member 52. That portion of the driving rod 45 immediately above the forward end 47 of the treadle lever 48 is provided with the usual floating collar 53, coil spring 54 and a second collar 55 that is fixedly positioned on said rod by any suitable means such as a set screw.

Prior to the instant invention, that portion of the driving rod immediately below the forward end 47 of the treadle lever 48 was provided with an additional collar which was set screwed to said rod and the swinging movement of the treadle lever by cam 52 acting upon the follower 51 would cause a positive vertical reciprocation of the driving rod. It can now be easily seen that such reciprocation of the driving rod 45 will cause the knock-off to swing back and forth and the finger 38 thereof will not contact the knock-off bunter (not shown) as long as filling yarn is being sensed by the center fork feeler tines 28.

Breakage or lack of filling yarn will cause the feeler tines 28 to enter the center fork well 30 a suflicient distance so as to prevent further reciprocation of the knockoff rod 33 thereby causing the finger 38 of the knock-off to stop in alignment with the knock-off bunter in a conventional and well-known manner.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show the means according to the invention for deactivating the driving rod 45. This means includes a collar member 56 which is assembled for vertical adjustment on the threaded lower end of the driving rod 45 by means of lock nuts 57 and 58. The collar member 56 is provided with opposed and laterally extending lug elements 59 and 60 which protrude from the sides of said collar.

A yoke type rod disconnect generally indicated by numeral 61 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) is pivotably attached to the forward end 47 of the treadle lever 48 by means of a selfaligning pivot stud 62. This .pivot stud assemblies in the forward end 47 of the treadle lever and is provided with a centrally disposed aperture through which the driving rod 45 is adapted to extend and as the treadle lever moves upwardly and downwardly said stud will rotate slightly to permit said rod to reciprocate in a substantially vertical plane. The ends of this pivot stud extend beyond the limits of the forward end 47 of the treadle lever and are adapted to be received by aligned apertures provided in and adjacent the upper end of the rod disconnect 61. The rod disconnect 61 extends in a generally downwardly direction and as shown by the full and phantom lines in FIG. 3, it is pivotable into and out of engagement with the lug elements 59 and 60 of the collar member 56. Those portions of the disconect which engage the lug elements 59 and 60 are in step form and are identified by numerals 63 and 64, respectively (FIG. 4). The lower end of the rod disconnect has one end of a coil spring 65 attached thereto as at 66 and the opposite end thereof attaches to a spring bracket 67 as at '68. This spring bracket is fixedly assembled adjacent the lower end of the driving rod 45 by being assembled between lock nuts 58. Coil spring 65 is so disposed as to continually urge the rod disconnect in the direction of engagement with the lug elements 59 and 60 of the collar 56.

Like the control linkage 26 which is attached to the depressor 21, a similar control linkage identified by numeral 69 is attached at the lower portion of the rod disconnect 61 as at 70. This linkage arrangement is also controlled by the dictates of the controller as is the depressor 21. The tilting of the disconnect away from the driving rod 45 renders the latter ineffective in performing its intended function of actuating the knock-off 37.

The invention includes an additional control linkage which is also in the form of a Bowden wire and is controlled by the dictates of the controller.

This additional control linkage is depicted by numeral 71 in FIG. 2 and is attached to a first arm 72, as at 73, of a double armed lever generally indicated by numeral 74. This lever is pivotally supported intermediate its ends on a bolt 75 the threaded portion of which assembles in a threaded hole (not shown) provided in an extension 76 of the bracket member 39.

A second arm 77 of the double armed lever extends in a generally downward direction and has one end of a coil spring 78 attached to the end thereof as at 79. The opposite end of spring 78 attaches to the lower portion of the bracket member 39 and is effective in constantly urging lever 74 in an anti-clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2 of the drawing.

The free end of the first arm 72 of this lever has a lockout plate 80' fixedly attached thereto by any suitable means such as screws 81 and 82 shown in FIG. 5. Upon an indication from the controller, the control linkage 71 moves the lever 74 in a clockwise direction, and the lock-out plate 80 is lowered from the phantom line position to the solid line position shown in FIG. 5. When the lock-out plate 80 is in the lower position, one side thereof is in contact with the side of the finger 38 of the knock-off and prevents any possible movement of said finger which could cause it to come into alignment with the bunter and knock off the loom.

In operation, the controller unit described in the aforementioned patent application controls the linkage for deactivating the various mechanical functions heretofore described and permits a loom to continue to operate without inserting picks of filling yarn. The patterning means utilized in the controller unit are set up and arranged to form unwoven sections in fabric of a specified width at predetermined intervals during the forming thereof.

Upon an indication to commence the formation of socalled fringe, the depressor, driving rod and knock-off are deactivated simultaneously as heretofore described. After forming a given width of fringe, an indication is sensed by the controller and the control linkages are released and the coil springs attached to each of the deactivated elements return said elements to their initial positions whereupon normal weaving is again resumed.

The return of the deactivated elements to their initial position is not simultaneous as is required when they are deactivated. The return timing of these elements is such that the depressor resumes its function prior to the knockoff and driving rod, and permits a predetermined number of picks to be inserted into the shed of warp yarns. The early insertion of picks upon the return to normal weaving forms a new fell and prevents an interference by the tips of the feeler tines with the filling which would occur if all elements 'were activated simultaneously due to the possibility of said tips rising above the fell when the lay is at front center.

Although the controller unit heretofore referred to is the means set forth for controlling the cessation and activation of the mechanical functions described, it should be understood that any suitable and known type of control unit may be utilized for this purpose.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive concept may be carried out in a number of ways. This invention is, therefore, not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to embrace all variations and modifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.

We claim:

1. In a shuttleless loom of the type having an external, stationary filling supply source, reciprocable carrier means for inserting picks of filling from said source into sheds of warp yarns in said loom, filling presenting member being adapted for moving said filling to a position to be picked up by said carrier means, a filling stop motion for sensing the absence of said picks of filling in said sheds and for knocking-off said loom, driving means for said stop motion, a fringe motion for forming non-woven bands of warp yarns during m operation which includes (a) a patterned controller unit,

(b) a first control linkage extending from said unit for moving said filling presenting member to a position so as to avoid contact with said filling,

(c) a means for deactivating said stop motion whereby the loom will continue to function without the presence of picks of filling within the sheds which comprises (1) a second control linkage extending from said unit, and

(2) a disconnecting means influenced by said second control linkage to disconnect said stop motion driving means.

2. Mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said filling presenting member defines a depressor arm which is adapted to travel in a downward path in presenting each said pick of filling to said carrier means, said depressor arm being deactivated by being tilted away from said downward path.

3. Mechanism as defined in claim 2 wherein said filling stop motion further includes a pivotally supported knockoff member, a driving rod for transmitting reciprocal movement to said knock-01f member, a collar member secured to said driving rod for movement therewith, and a yoke member being slidably supported on said driving rod and pivotally movable relative thereto.

4. Mechanism as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for deactivating said stop motion further includes a third control linkage extending from said unit, a pivotal lever movable by said third control linkage, and a means carried by said pivotal lever for locking said knock-01f member in a deactivated position.

5. A method of forming fringe on a fabric in a shuttleless loom of the type having a filling stop motion, a stationary external source of filling, carrier means for inserting picks of filling from said source into sheds of warp yarns in said loom, and means adapted to travel in a downward path to contact and present said filling to said carrier means, said method including the steps of: (a) holding said filling presenting means away from said downward path to avoid contact with said filling, (b) permitting said carrier means to function without inserting picks of filling, and (c) deactivating said stop motion to prevent loom knock-off. 6. The method as set forth in claim 5 wherein said filling presenting means includes a pivotally movable filling depressor.

8 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,092,150 6/1963 Birmans et al. 139-122 2,352,341 6/1944 Ott 139-24 2,782,807 2/1957 Flamand 139-228 2,837,124 6/1958 Ancet et al. 139-172 3,276,482. 10/ 1966 Liebchen 139122 FOREIGN PATENTS 608,532 9/ 1948 Great Britain.

HENRY S. JAUDON, Primary Examiner. 

